U.S. patent number 4,550,519 [Application Number 06/597,126] was granted by the patent office on 1985-11-05 for fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter.
Invention is credited to Billy R. Simmons, Harold J. Simmons.
United States Patent |
4,550,519 |
Simmons , et al. |
November 5, 1985 |
Fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter
Abstract
A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter embodies a
supporting frame having a rod holder operatively connected thereto
and adapted for vertical pivotal movement. One end of a trigger rod
is pivotally connected to the supporting frame with the other end
of the trigger rod extending forwardly beneath a fishing rod
supported by the rod holder. A fishing rod support member is
carried by the forward end of the trigger rod and is movable
therewith selectively to a lower inoperative position and to an
upper operative, hook setting position. One end of a jerk rod is
pivotally connected to the supporting frame. The other end of the
jerk rod extends forwardly and is urged upwardly toward the trigger
rod by a resilient member. A releasable connector assembly
operatively connects the jerk rod to the trigger rod and is
operable to hold the trigger rod in the inoperative position until
the fishing rod support member carried thereby is moved downwardly
and is then operable to release the jerk rod from the trigger rod
so that it is urged upwardly to move the trigger rod and the
fishing rod to the hook setting position.
Inventors: |
Simmons; Harold J. (Margaret,
AL), Simmons; Billy R. (Margaret, AL) |
Family
ID: |
24390204 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/597,126 |
Filed: |
April 5, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
97/11 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
97/11 (20060101); A01K 97/10 (20060101); A01K
097/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;43/15,21.2,17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Crosby; Gene P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thompson, Jr.; Woodford R.
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter comprising:
(a) a supporting frame,
(b) a rod holder operatively connected to said supporting frame in
position to support the handle end of a fishing rod and adapted for
vertical pivotal movement relative to said supporting frame,
(c) a trigger rod pivotally connected at one end to said supporting
frame with the other end of said trigger rod being adapted to
extend forwardly beneath a fishing rod supported by said rod
holder,
(d) a fishing rod support member carried by a forward portion of
said trigger rod in position to support a fishing rod and move with
said trigger rod selectively to a lower inoperative position and to
an upper operative position so that the fishing rod supported by
said rod holder is moved upwardly to a hook setting position,
(e) a jerk rod pivotally connected at one end to said supporting
frame forwardly of the pivotal connection between said one end of
said trigger rod and said supporting frame with the other end of
said jerk rod extending forwardly and upwardly toward said trigger
rod,
(f) resilient means urging said other end of said jerk rod upwardly
toward said trigger rod,
(g) releasable means operable to connect said other end of said
jerk rod to said trigger rod in a position to hold said trigger rod
and said fishing rod support member carried thereby in said
inoperative position and operable to release said jerk rod for
movement relative to said trigger rod in response to downward
movement of said other end of said trigger rod by downward movement
of said fishing rod support member so that said jerk rod is urged
by said resilient means in a direction to move said trigger rod and
the fishing rod supported by said fishing rod support member to
said hook setting position.
2. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 1 in which said supporting frame is mounted for pivotal
movement on a base frame.
3. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 1 in which said rod holder is a sleeve-like member pivotally
connected to the upper portion of an upstanding support member with
the lower portion of said upstanding support member being secured
to said trigger rod adjacent its pivotal connection to said
supporting frame.
4. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 3 in which said upstanding support member is a rod-like
member having a laterally extending upper end portion of a length
to extend horizontally through oppositely disposed aligned openings
in said sleeve-like member to define a pivot support for said
sleeve-like member and a stop in position to limit rearward
movement of said handle end of a fishing rod relative to said
sleeve-like member.
5. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 1 in which said fishing rod support member comprises an
elongated member extending generally perpendicular to said trigger
rod and adjustably connected thereto with the upper portion of said
elongated member being provided with an upwardly opening recess for
receiving the fishing rod.
6. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 1 in which said resilient means urging said other end of said
jerk rod upwardly toward said trigger rod comprises at least one
resilient member operatively connected at one end to said other end
of said jerk rod with the other end of said resilient member being
operatively connected to said supporting frame.
7. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 6 in which said resilient member is an elastic member.
8. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 6 in which at least one lateral projection is carried by said
other end of said jerk rod in position to be connected to one end
of said resilient member with the other end of said resilient
member connected to a transverse member carried by said supporting
frame.
9. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 1 in which said releasable means operable to connect said
other end of said jerk rod to said trigger rod comprises:
(a) an upstanding trigger element carried by said trigger rod
adjacent said other end thereof and spaced rearwardly of said
fishing rod support member,
(b) an inverted U-shaped member having a base connected to spaced
apart depending legs which extend along opposite sides of said
trigger rod with the lower ends of said depending legs secured to
said other end of said jerk rod,
(c) a cam roller eccentrically mounted for rotation between said
depending legs and extending transversely above said trigger rod in
position to move selectively to a first position adjacent the
forward side of said trigger element to restrain upward movement of
said jerk rod and to a second position above said trigger element
to release said other end of said jerk rod for upward movement into
engagement with said trigger rod to move said trigger rod upwardly
to said operative position so that the fishing rod supported by
said rod holder is moved upwardly to said hook setting position,
and
(d) means to hold said cam roller at selected angular positions to
vary the sensitivity of the release of said cam roller from said
trigger element.
10. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 9 in which said means to hold said cam roller at selected
angular positions comprises:
(a) a depending threaded member in threaded engagement with a
threaded opening through said base in position for the lower end of
said threaded member to move selectively toward and away from said
cam roller to position said cam roller at said selected angular
positions, and
(b) means to rotate said threaded member in opposite directions to
move said lower end thereof selectively toward and away from said
cam roller.
11. A fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter as defined in
claim 9 in which said cam roller is mounted eccentrically on a
pin-like member extending between and supported by said depending
legs of said U-shaped member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fishing rod holder with automatic hook
setter and more particularly to such a device which is operable to
support a fishing rod until it is moved downwardly in response to a
pull on the fishing line by a fish, whereupon the front end of the
fishing rod is then jerked upwardly to a hook setting position.
Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various
devices have been proposed for moving a fish hook to a hook setting
position at the time a fish strikes. However, such devices have
been complicated in structure and are very difficult to operate and
maintain in satisfactory working order.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the above and other difficulties, we provide a fishing
rod holder with automatic hook setter which is simple of
construction, economical of manufacture, and one which is easily
operated and maintained in working order with a minimum of
effort.
Our improved fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter embodies
a supporting frame having a rod holder supported therefrom for
vertical pivotal movement and in position to support the handle end
of a fishing rod. One end of a trigger rod is pivotally connected
to the supporting frame with the other end of the trigger rod
extending forwardly beneath the fishing rod supported by the rod
holder. A fishing rod support member is carried by the forward end
of the trigger rod and is movable therewith selectively to a lower
inoperative position and to an upper operative position or hook
setting position. A jerk rod is pivotally connected at one end to
the supporting frame with the other end of the jerk rod extending
forwardly and upwardly toward the trigger rod. Resilient means
urges the other end of the jerk rod upwardly toward the trigger
rod. A releasable connector assembly connects the jerk rod to the
trigger rod and is operable to hold the trigger rod in an
inoperative position until the fishing rod support member carried
by the trigger rod is moved downwardly. The connector assembly is
then operable to release the jerk rod from the trigger rod whereby
it is urged upwardly to move the trigger rod and the fishing rod to
the hook setting position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A fishing rod holder with an automatic hook setter embodying
features of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a fishing rod supported
by our improved device with the fishing rod being shown in the hook
setting position in dotted lines;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, showing the
automatic hook setter in the hook setting position with the fishing
rod holder and fishing rod being omitted, for the sake of
clarity;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in
section, showing the automatic hook setter in the inoperative
position in solid lines and in the operative, hook setting position
in dotted lines;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken generally along the line 4--4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an end view, partly broken away and taken generally along
the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a fragmental view, taken generally along the line 6--6 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a fragmental view, partly broken away and in section,
showing the releasable connector assembly which operatively
connects the jerk rod to the trigger rod and showing the cam roller
in an intermediate position with its pivot pin positioned above the
trigger rod a distance equal the radius of the cam roller;
FIG. 8 is a fragmental view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the cam
roller at a high sensitivity position wherein its pivot pin is
located above the trigger rod a distance greater than the radius of
the cam roller;
FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 8 showing the cam
roller at a low sensitivity position with the pivot pin of the cam
roller located above the trigger rod a distance less than the
radius of the cam roller; and,
FIG. 10 is a fragmental view, partly broken away and in section,
showing the means for adjustably connecting the fishing rod support
member to the forward end portion of the trigger rod.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of our
invention, we show a supporting frame 10 which is mounted for
pivotal movement on a base frame 11 by a suitable pivot pin 12, as
shown in FIG. 3. The pivot pin 12 is provided with a threaded upper
end portion for receiving a suitable retaining element, such as a
wing nut 13. The base frame 11 is shown as being mounted on a
depending anchor member 14 which may be inserted into the earth 15,
as shown in FIG. 1, to support the fishing rod holder adjacent a
body of water. While we have shown the base frame 11 as being
anchored to the ground, it will be apparent that the base member 11
could be mounted on a boat, dock or other suitable supporting
structure.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the supporting frame 10 comprises a
rectangular bottom wall 16 which is connected to upstanding side
walls 17 and a rear wall 18. The forwardmost side of the supporting
frame 10 is open, as shown. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, a
pin-like member 19 extends transversely of the supporting frame 10
with opposite ends of the pin-like member 19 projecting through
suitable openings 21 provided in the upstanding side walls 17. An
enlarged lower portion 22 of a trigger rod 23 is supported for
pivotal movement on the transverse pin-like member 19, as shown.
The enlarged portion 22 of the trigger rod 23 is preferably formed
of a plastic-like material while the remaining portion of the
trigger rod 23 may be formed of a suitable metal.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of an upstanding support member
24 is secured to the enlarged portion 22 of the trigger rod 23 near
its pivotal connection to the supporting frame 10. The upper
portion of the upstanding support member 24 is in the form of a
laterally extending upper end portion 26 of a length to extend
horizontally through oppositely disposed aligned openings in a
sleeve-like rod holder 27 which is in position to support the
handle end 28 of a fishing rod 29. The transverse upper portion 26
also defines a stop which is in position to limit rearward movement
of the handle end 28 of the fishing rod relative to the rod holder
27. It will thus be seen that the rod holder 27 is adapted for
vertical pivotal movement relative to the upper end portion 26 of
the upstanding support member 24 and is also adapted for movement
with the upstanding support member 24 from the solid line position
shown in FIG. 1 to the dotted line position. A suitable tension
spring 31 is interposed between the rod holder 27 and the
upstanding support member 24, as shown in FIG. 1, to limit free
pivotal movement of the rod holder 27 after the handle portion 28
of the fishing rod is removed from the rod holder. That is, the
tension spring 31 urges the rod holder 27 toward the upstanding
support member 24 whereby it remains in this position until it is
again moved upwardly to receive the handle portion 28 of the
fishing rod.
As clearly shown in FIG. 10, the forward portion of the trigger rod
23 is provided with an opening 32 therethrough for receiving an
elongated fishing rod support member 33 which is in position to
extend generally perpendicular to a fishing rod 29 after it is
positioned within the rod holder 27. The upper portion of the
elongated fishing rod support member 33 is provided with an
upwardly opening recess 34 for receiving the fishing rod 29 after
its handle portion 28 has been inserted into the rod holder 27, as
shown in FIG. 1. The upwardly opening recess 34 may be defined by
bending the elongated rodlike member 33 downwardly and then
upwardly to provide a generally U-shaped recess, as clearly shown
in FIG. 5. It will thus be seen that the fishing rod support member
33 is adapted to move with the trigger rod 23 selectively to a
lower inoperative position and to an upper operative position so
that the fishing rod supported by the rod holder 23 may be moved
upwardly to a hook setting position in a manner to be described
hereinafter.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a jerk rod 36 is pivotally connected at
one end to the supporting frame forwardly of the pivotal connection
between the trigger rod and the supporting frame with the other end
of the jerk rod 36 extending forwardly and upwardly toward the
trigger rod 23, as shown in FIG. 3. The jerk rod 36 is shown as
comprising a pair of forwardly converging arms 37 having outturned
end portions 38 which pass through suitable openings provided in
the upstanding side walls 17 of the supporting frame 10. The
forwardmost end of the jerk rod 36 is urged upwardly toward the
trigger rod 23 by resilient means, such as a pair of elastic bands
39 which pass around suitable rollers 41 mounted on the transverse
pin-like member 19 at opposite sides of the enlarged portion 22 of
the trigger rod 23, as clearly shown in FIG. 5. Extending
transversely of the upper ends of the jerk rod 36 is a transverse
member 42 having outwardly projecting end portions 43 in position
to receive the upper ends of the elastic bands 39, as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.
Releasable means indicated generally at 44 is operable to connect
the upper, forwardmost end of the jerk rod 36 to the trigger rod 23
in position to hold the trigger rod 23 and the fishing rod support
member 33 carried thereby in an inoperative position and operable
to release the jerk rod for movement relative to the trigger rod in
response to the downward movement of the forwardmost end of the
trigger rod by downward movement of the fishing rod support member
33 so that the jerk rod is urged by the resilient means in a
direction to move the trigger rod 23 and the fishing rod 29
supported by the fishing rod support member to a hook setting
position. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-9, the releasable means
operable to connect the forward end of the jerk rod 36 to the
trigger rod 23 is shown as comprising an upstanding trigger element
46 carried by the trigger rod 23 adjacent the uppermost end of the
trigger rod and spaced rearwardly of the fishing rod support member
33, as shown in FIG. 3. An inverted U-shaped member 47 having a
base 48 and depending legs 49 is carried by the forwardmost end of
the jerk rod 36, as shown. The depending legs 49 extend along
opposite sides of the trigger rod 23, as shown in FIG. 6, with the
lower ends of the depending legs being secured to the forwardmost
end of the jerk rod 36. As shown in FIGS. 6-9, a cam roller 51 is
eccentrically mounted for rotation between the depending legs 49 on
a transverse pin 52 located above the trigger rod 23 in position to
move selectively to a first position adjacent the forward side of
the trigger element 46 to restrain upward movement of the jerk rod
36 and to a second position above the trigger element 46 to release
the forwardmost end of the jerk rod 36 for upward movement into
engagement with the trigger rod 23 to move the trigger rod upwardly
to its operative position so that the fishing rod supported by the
rod holder 33 is moved upwardly to the hook setting position. The
cam roller 51 is held at selected angular positions to vary the
sensitivity of the release of the cam roller 51 from the trigger
element by a threaded member 53 which passes vertically through a
suitable threaded opening provided in the base 48 of the U-shaped
member 47. The threaded member 53 is in position for its lower end
to move selectively toward and away from the cam roller to position
the cam roller at selected angular positions, as shown in FIGS. 7,
8 and 9. A suitable knob 54 is secured to the upper end of the
threaded member 53 whereby it may be rotated in opposite directions
to move the lower end of the threaded member selectively toward and
away from the cam roller 51. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the cam
roller 51 is mounted eccentrically on its pin-like member 52 and a
compression spring 56 is located between the knob 54 and the base
48 of the U-shaped member 47 to retain the threaded member 53 at
selected vertical positions relative to the cam roller 51. It will
thus be seen that the more the threaded member 53 is moved toward
the cam roller 51, the easier it is to release the releasable
trigger element. That is, with the cam roller in the intermediate
position shown in FIG. 7, the pivot pin 52 is positioned above the
trigger rod a distance equal substantially the radius of the cam
roller whereby a moderate amount of downward force on the fishing
rod 29 will release the trigger mechanism.
To increase the sensitivity of the trigger mechanism, the knob 54
is rotated in a direction to move the threaded member 53 downwardly
toward the cam roller 51 to the position shown in FIG. 8 whereby
the pivot pin 52 is then located above the trigger rod a distance
greater than the radius of the cam roller.
To lower the sensitivity of the trigger mechanism, the knob 54 is
rotated in a direction to move the threaded member 53 upwardly
relative to the cam 51 to the position shown in FIG. 9 whereby the
pivot pin 52 of the cam roller 51 is located above the trigger rod
a distance less than the radius of the cam roller.
From the foregoing description, the operation of our improved
fishing rod holder will be readily understood. The supporting frame
10 is secured to a suitable supporting structure, such as by
inserting the anchor member 14 into the ground 15. The trigger rod
23 and the jerk rod 36 are then moved downwardly in a clockwise
direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereby the trigger rod and
jerk rod are moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the solid
line position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As the cam roller 51 is moved
upwardly over the trigger element 46, the inverted U-shaped member
47 is pressed downwardly which causes the cam roller 51 to rotate
about its pivot pin 52 to the position shown in FIG. 7 as it moves
over the forwardmost end of the trigger element 46. The knob 54 is
then rotated in the desired direction to either increase or
decrease the sensitivity of the trigger release means, as described
hereinabove. That is, by rotating the knob 54 to vary the
sensivitity of the release means, the amount of downward force on
the fishing rod support member 33 to release the trigger mechanism
may be readily varied. After a fish strikes the hook carried by the
fishing line attached to the fishing rod, the tip of the fishing
rod is moved downwardly whereupon force is then exerted through the
fishing rod support member 33 to the trigger rod 23 whereupon the
cam roller then moves over the top of the trigger element 46 to
release the jerk rod 36 for pivotal movement upwardly into
engagement with the trigger to thus move the fishing rod 29 from
the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG.
1. That is, the jerk rod 36 and the trigger rod 23 move from the
solid line position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG.
2. Accordingly, the fishing rod 29 is moved upwardly to the hook
setting position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. To reset the
fishing rod holder and its automatic hook setting means, the above
procedure is repeated.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that we have devised an
improved fishing rod holder with automatic hook setter which is
extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one
which may be operated and maintained with a minimum of effort.
While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be
obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but
is susceptible of various changes and modifications without
departing from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *